Impact of an eHealth Smartphone App on the Mental Health of Patients With Psoriasis: Prospective Randomized Controlled Intervention Study

• DOI: 10.2196/28149
• Publication Date: 2021-07-22T18:48:16Z
• Authors: Lena Domogalla; Alena Beck; Theresa Schulze-H...; Raphael Herr; Johannes Benecke; Astrid Schmieder
• Keywords: eHealth; mHealth; Smartphone app; Telehealth

Background Psoriasis has a negative impact on patients’ physical and mental health can lead to anxiety depression. Disease management strategies, including educational programs eHealth devices, have been shown improve care for several chronic diseases. However, such disease strategies are lacking in the routine of patients with psoriasis. Objective This study aims novel intervention that combines an program smartphone app Methods Patients psoriasis group received program; attended visits weeks 0, 12, 24, 36, 60; had access app. control only visits. The primary endpoint was significant reduction scores Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS). Secondary end points were reductions Dermatology Life Quality Index score, Area Severity pruritus, pain, as well improvements mood daily activities. In addition, modulating effects sex, age, duration, use frequency evaluated. Results A total 107 included randomized into (53/107, 49.5%) or (54/107, 50.5%). Approximately 71.9% (77/107) completed study. HADS-Depression (HADS-D) found at 12 (P=.04) 24 (P=.005) but not 36 (P=.12) 60 (P=.32). Patient stratification according showed improvement HADS-D score (P=.004) HADS-Anxiety (HADS-A) (P=.05) using less than once every 5 weeks. more weeks, no (P=.84) HADS-A (P=.20) observed over 60-week period compared group. All findings independent duration. Conclusions These support valid tool achieve long-term if it is used too frequently. Further studies needed analyze newly influence frequency. Trial Registration Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien DRKS00020755; https://tinyurl.com/nyzjyvvk